Chapter 3

As soon as I replied, Blake's video, which had just been trending locally, vanished.

In its place was a ridiculously long "apology" post, spanning thousands of words, set to some sappy, over-dramatic music titled "We're All Just Trying to Live."

I quickly skimmed it.

It basically said he was just excited about closing a big deal and got carried away with a viral trend, never expecting to upset my supposedly "fragile ego." Now, he claimed he was losing sleep and appetite, hoping for my forgiveness.

It was less an apology and more a provocation.

But Victoria couldn't see through it.

Or perhaps, it was a subtle warning from her.

Soon, as Blake continued to embellish the truth in his post, his narrative gained momentum.

The comment section was flooded with sympathetic and comforting messages for him.

"Blake, I'm with you! Alex, that stingy, penny-pinching miser! We helped him so much, but after closing millions in sales, he wouldn't even treat us to dinner, let alone a bubble tea. Don't let him get to you!"

"Exactly! He's just jealous and trying to get under your skin because you get to travel with Victoria!"

Many of the comments were from subordinates I had personally trained.

Yet, now, they were all speaking up for Blake.

I wasn't surprised.

Ever since Blake, despite only having an associate's degree, was given a special promotion and parachuted in as Victoria's personal assistant three months ago, Victoria spared no expense in networking for him and treating people to meals in the office.

Within a week, everyone got the hint about Victoria's intentions and started pandering to Blake.

As for the old loyalists who insisted on performance-based results and spoke up for me?

Over the past three months, they were either targeted with impossible tasks until they quit, or they were demoted to entry-level positions in distant branch offices for even a minor mistake.

As for the business trip with Victoria, I was originally the chosen one.

A week ago, Victoria, to reward me for becoming the top salesperson again that quarter, used the excuse of a business trip to say she'd take me to the beach I dreamed of, to feel the sea breeze.

But the very next day, when the official notice came out, the person going on the trip was Blake.

Even Blake's selfie had replaced my photo as the sales champion on the incentive board.

I was fuming and confronted Victoria.

But she claimed she kept me back because she didn't trust anyone else. She needed a "general" like me to hold down the fort.

It was laughable. At the time, I was so touched, thinking I had finally earned Victoria's trust.

Looking back now, it was just another one of her manipulation tactics.

Snapping back to reality, I was about to exit the app when Victoria replied in the comment section:

"Ultimately, actions speak louder than words. To certain individuals, I say: Just watch yourself!"

She didn't name names, but immediately, dozens more comments insulting me appeared below.

I couldn't be bothered to read them anymore. I walked straight back to the company, intending to find HR and resign.

After all, Victoria had already offended the industry leader. There was no point in staying with a doomed company. Better to resign early and find some peace.

But as soon as I entered the office, many people quietly lowered their heads, stifling laughter, seeing my wet hair and shirt.

I was used to it. I went directly to HR and requested to resign.

The HR person just glanced at me out of the corner of their eye, then went back to playing on their phone.

"Ms. Lin isn't here, so she can't sign. Unless she personally approves."

I immediately called Victoria, but the call was hung up instantly.

Then Victoria sent a message:

"What, anxious now?"

"Too late!"

"You didn't just hurt Blake's delicate feelings; you also severely affected the company atmosphere. Unless you personally apologize to him and hand over your current projects, you can just get lost!"

Victoria had threatened me like this more than once.

After all, my salary and savings were all in her hands. She was so sure I wouldn't dare to quit easily.

Before, I would always admit my mistakes and apologize, but this time, I had no patience left.

I showed the chat history directly to HR.

HR was stunned for a moment, then told me to come collect my resignation certificate tomorrow.

But no sooner had I left than Victoria called me.

"Alex, it's working hours. I checked the monitors, why aren't you at the office?"

I didn't explain, and I couldn't be bothered to.

Anyway, Victoria didn't really care where I was or what I was doing.

Seeing my silence, Victoria scoffed, as if she had expected this.

"Absent without leave during working hours? Your quarterly bonus will be completely wiped out."

It seemed she still didn't know I had already resigned.

Before I could speak, Blake's voice came through on the line, interjecting on my behalf:

"Vicky, Alex might really have something important to deal with."

"He works hard too. How about I pay for this out of my own pocket?"

Victoria was unfazed.

"What's so hard about Alex's job? He's probably just using 'business' as an excuse to go out and mess around."

I gave an ironic smile.

Ever since I joined Victoria's company, I had practically worked overtime every day until late at night. Even after the company found its footing, I was still the first one in the department every day and the last one to leave.

Over these past seven years, half of the company's client data was collected by me, door-to-door, one by one. There were times I faced outright hostility—getting spat on or having leftovers thrown at me was considered a mild inconvenience.

But Victoria simply ignored all my efforts.

Seeing my continued silence, Victoria, thinking I had chickened out, smiled triumphantly.

"Admit you were wrong?"

I nodded and hummed in agreement.

Yes, I was wrong.

Wrong for not seeing her true colors sooner, wrong for letting myself be miserable for seven years.

Hearing this, Victoria thought I was genuinely repentant and seemed in a much better mood. She proactively asked:

"Oh, right, why did you call me so urgently earlier today?"

I simply brushed it off.

"Nothing, just didn't have money for the bus."

A triumphant laugh came from the other end of the line, and then she sent me a fifty-dollar Venmo payment.

"Alright, don't be so petty. The fried chicken place downstairs has a Thursday discount. Take this 50 and treat yourself to something nice."

I was momentarily stunned, thinking Victoria had changed her ways.

But the next second, she changed her tone.

"Oh, right, Blake and I will be back at the office tomorrow. Didn't you say you negotiated a big deal? Remember to get the contract ready beforehand. If we're going to put on a show, we might as well do it right."

I scoffed.

Turns out, she was still doing it for Blake.

I was about to refuse when a message from the Aether Corp. client popped up.

"Today is the deadline. Since your company refuses to negotiate with us, our legal team will be at your office tomorrow. You have been warned."

No doubt, they hadn't been able to reach Victoria.

After all, she was still in a fit of rage, with only Blake on her mind. Who cared about business?

Thinking this, I suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Fine. I agree to hand over all clients and projects to Blake."